The Conquest of Cool & First Things First Manifesto

Download Thomas Frank - The Conquest of Cool:
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   - download .doc in ZIP file (PC)
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Read Thomas Frank’s thoughts from The Conquest of Cool and consider the problems of commercial cooption from the Communications Studies standpoint. What are the cultural consequences of the cooption of rebelliousness and “hipness” by the advertising industry? How can youth culture still rebel authentically against the mainstream?

Your treatment can address reception theories of media, creation of subcultural media, protest culture and alternative media among other things.

There are two formats in which you can present your work:

1. Opinion piece:

The opinion piece must reflect a personal approach to the problems presented within the text but still approach the issues from the point of view of Communications Studies.

   Length: 5-7 pages;
   Abstract: up to 100 words with 6 highlighted keywords;

On the title page, include your name and surname, field of study, e-mail, the title of the piece, an abstract and keywords.

2. Annotated academic article:

Using Frank’s text as a base, you should evaluate it against the _ of recent academic work on the subject. You may either support or contest his claims by citing writings from Communications Studies scholars. You may also present original independent research on the issue.

   Length: 5-7 pages;
   Summary: up to 100 words and 6 key words (in English also);

Your work should be presented in conventional essay format and citations should consistently follow one of the dominant social-science styles. On the front page, include your name and surname, field of study, e-mail address, the title of the article, an abstract of the article with keywords.

The Conquest of Cool

Download Thomas Frank - The Conquest of Cool:

- view in new window (any browser)
- download .doc in ZIP file (PC)
- download .doc in SIT file (MAC)

Read Thomas Frank's thoughts from The Conquest of Cool and consider the problems of commercial cooption from a Sociological standpoint. What are the social consequences of the cooption of rebelliousness and "hipness" by the advertising industry? Is rebellion and authentic subcultural production still possible in contemporary market society?

Within the scope of Sociology, the source text can be tackled from the fields of Sociology of Culture, Sociology of media, Sociology of art, Sociology of knowledge...
Your treatment can address the production of culture and subculture, theories of social action and social structure, theories of cultural contestation and the impact of the market on the arts and media.

There are two formats in which you can present your work:

1. Opinion piece:

The opinion piece must reflect a personal approach to the problems presented within the text but still approach the issues from a Sociological point of view.

   Length: 5-7 pages;
   Abstract: up to 100 words with 6 highlighted keywords.

On the title page, include your name and surname, field of study, e-mail, the title of the piece, an abstract and keywords.

2. Annotated academic article:

Using Frank’s text as a base, you should evaluate it against the _ of recent academic work on the subject. You may either support or contest his claims by citing writings from Sociologists. You may also present original independent research on the issue.

   Length: 5-7 pages;
   Summary: up to 100 words and 6 key words (in English also);

Your work should be presented in conventional essay format and citations should consistently follow one of the dominant social-science styles. On the front page, include your name and surname, field of study, e-mail address, the title of the article, an abstract of the article with keywords.